This is the second volume in a series devoted to the works for strings by BÃ©la BartÃ³k, with James Ehnes the featured soloist. Earlier this year, Ehnes recorded the Violin and Viola Concertos, which was made Disc of the Month in Gramophone magazine. On this new recording, he turns to the Violin Sonatas and Rhapsodies, complemented by the earliest surviving work by BartÃ³k for violin and piano, an Andante. Of the two sonatas, the Sonata in C sharp minor is the more traditional in terms of it's structure, and characterized by a mood that is sometimes exhilarated, sometimes turbulent - but always virtuosic. In the Sonata in C major, BartÃ³k removes himself from classical form and traditional tonal practice, calling on the violinist to distance himself from the romantic manner of playing. Exuberant and infectious, BartÃ³k's two rhapsodies for piano and violin are steeped in the tradition of Hungarian folk music.

Tracklist:

Rhapsody No. 1 For Violin And Piano, Bb 94a: I. Lassu: Moderato
Rhapsody No. 1 For Violin And Piano, Bb 94a: II. Friss: Allegretto Moderato -
Rhapsody No. 1 For Violin And Piano, Bb 94a: II. [Agitato]
Violin Sonata No. 2, Bb 85: I. Molto Moderato
Violin Sonata No. 2, Bb 85: II. Allegretto
Rhapsody No. 2 For Violin And Piano, Bb 96a: I. Lassu: Moderato
Rhapsody No. 2 For Violin And Piano, Bb 96a: II. Friss: Allegro Moderato
Violin Sonata No. 1, Bb 84: I. Allegro Appassionato
Violin Sonata No. 1, Bb 84: II. Adagio
Violin Sonata No. 1, Bb 84: III. Allegro
Andante In A Major, Bb 26b
Rhapsody No. 1 For Violin And Piano, Bb 94a: II. Accelerando - A Tempo - (Alternative Ending)
Rhapsody No. 1 For Violin And Piano, Bb 94a: II. [Agitato] (Alternative Ending)

UPC: 095115170526
Label: Chandos
Release Date: 1.31.12
Format: CD

Andrew Armstrong - Works for Violin & Piano 1 (CD)